Game



Feb.18, 1941. U E Av|-s 2332955 GAME Filed Dec. 14, 1933 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 18, 1941 fUNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE l GAME.

Ernest W. Davis, RiverForest, Ill. 7 Application December 14, 1938, Serial No. 245,699

5 Claims.

in selective playing. Another object isto provide a game which satisfies the natural acquisitive propensity of human nature. A further object is to provide a game which stimulates conversation, and which is therefore conducive to sociability. These and other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

These objects are attained by providing a playing board having difierentiated stations thereon, grouped in a particular manner as described hereinafter, and by providing either a spinner, or a special deck of cards, for determining by chance, the limitations of movement of a plurality of tokens on said playing board.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates the playing board. Fig. 2 illustrates a spinner. Fig. 3 illustra tes a number of playing pieces, or tokens. And Fig. 4 illustrates part of the deck of cards.

Referring to Fig. 1, the playing board 5, is preferably formed in the shape of a hexagon, as shown, with the surface printed to illustrate a plurality of hexagonal stations such as 6, I, 8, 9, I0, and I I. The background of the playing board 5, is preferably black. (It is shown white in the drawings in order to avoid confusion.) The stations are differentiated from each other by means F of various indicia, such as I2, I3, I4, [5, I6, and II, which are of different shapes and colors so as to be easily distinguished. For example, indicia I2, and I5, arecolored red; indicia I3, andI4,are colored yellow; and indicia I6, and II, are colored blue. I

The seven centermost stations on the board are surrounded by a yellow line I8, which provides means for designating this centrally located group of stations. Five marginal stations adjacent-each edge of the board are surrounded by a red line I9, I9, which provides means for designating these marginal groups of stations. The purpose of differentiating these various groups of stations will be brought out in the playing rules which will be described hereinafter. s

The tokens 20, 20, Fig. 3, are constructed of Celluloid, or other suitable material, and are preferably .formed in'the shape of discs, of a diameter slightly less than that of the stations on the playing board. If desired, coins may be ,used in place of the tokens.

The deck of cards forming a part of this game includes those illustrated in Fig. 4. Each card has an indicium at the center, and a certain i number of spots at each end. The number of spots varies from one to four, and the yarious indicia correspond with the six varieties of indicia on the playing board 5. -The purpose of this particular method of marking the cards is brought out in the directions for playing, which will be described hereinafter.

The indicia on the cards include all possible combinations of the six difierent figures, and the numbers from one to four, making twentyfour combinations in all. Thus, there are twentyfour difierent kinds of cards in the deck, but each card is duplicated, so as to provide a deck of forty-eight cards, whereby to avoid too frequent re-dealing.

It will be observed that the indicia on the playing board 5, are arranged in scattered formation. In games of this general class, it is customary to arrange the indicia in a radially symmetrical design, so as to provide a pleasing;

appearance. But in playing this game with partners, in accordance with the rules hereinafter described, there are more opportunities for making plays with the scattered arrangement, which is therefore preferred.

In an alternative construction, the spinner illustrated in Fig. 2, may be employed instead of the deck of cards. The spinner comprises a base 2|, having a long hand 22, and a short them with the fingers, they will soon come to rest, and the long hand 22, will then indicate one of the six colored figures, while the short hand 23 will indicate one of the four numbers.-

This provides for obtaining the same possible.

combinations that are obtained by using the cards, as will be readily understood.

Several different games maybe played-*with the devices hereinbefore described, and they may be played Withvarious numbers of players from two to six. One such game will now be described, first as-playedby two players, and then as playe by fourplayers playing partners.

When twoxplayers play this game they sit' opposite each other with the playing board he hand 23, both hands being rotatable on the pin;.3

tween them. The board is so positioned that the players face opposite sides of the board.

Seven tokens are placed on the seven centermost stations (the group of stations surrounded 5 by a yellow line), and each player receives three tokens.

The object of the game is to secure as many tokens as possible. A token is captured when a player succeeds in moving it to one of the stations in his marginal group (the group of stations immediately in front of the player, and surrounded by a red line).

The dealer deals his opponent and himself one card each, the cards being placed on the table face up in front of the respective players. The players play alternately. The dealers opponent begins playing by moving one of the tokens towards his side of the board. In doing so he may move only in the manner which will now be described.

A token may be moved in a straight line only, that is, from one station to an adjoining station, and then straight ahead in the same direction. A token may be moved a distance corresponding with the number of spots at each end of the players card. For example, if the players card has three spots at each end, then he may move a token three spaces; if a players card has one spot at each end, then he may move a token only one space, (the space adjoining its former position). A token may not be moved a distance any more or less than that indicated by the players card.

A token may not be moved unless its new resting position corresponds with the marking of the players card. For example, if the players card has a star at its center, then any token that is moved must be left at rest on a station marked with a star; or if a player's card has a triangle atits center, then any token that is moved must be left at rest on a station marked with a triangle. A token may be moved so as to jump over another token, butit'may not be moved to :a station which is occupied by another token. A player may move any token on the board when it is his turn to play, and he may move it in any desired direction, providing the move complies with the requirements described above. A player may move only one token at each turn to play.

If a player is unable to make a move by use of the card before him, or if for any other reason he prefers a new card, he may receive one from the dealer. The new card is then placed face up on top of the former card. The player then plays with the new card in the manner previouslydescribed. A player may receive only one new card at each turn to play. If after receiving a new card, a player is unable to move, he is then obliged to pass, and the next player then plays.

A player is not obliged to receive a new card when it is his turn to play. He may continue using his old card as long as he wishes.

' Alternating moves are not permitted. For example, when a token is moved away from a certain station, it may not be returned to the same station in the next play.

When all the cards have been dealt from the deck, each player retains his top card, and re- 70 turns all his other cards to the dealer, who shuffles them and continues dealing till the end of the game.

e When a player succeeds in movinga token to --one of the stations in his marginal group, (the 75 roup of stations at his side of the board, surrounded by a red line) he claims the token and removes it from the board.

Whenever a player wins a token, his opponent must place a token on the board, so that there are always seven tokens on the board during the entire game. The added token is placed on the entering station, which is the unmarked station at the exact center. If the entering station is occupied by a token, then the added token is placed in any other station in the central group that may be selected by the player who adds the token.

A player wins the game when he captures all his opponents tokens, and when his opponent is 'unable to replace a token that the winner removes from the board.

In playing this game four handed, the players are divided into two teams with twopartners in each team. The partners in each team sit next to each other, and play at adjoining sides of the board. Opponents sit opposite each other, and two opposite sides of the board are unoccupied. Each team receives three tokens. The dealer deals each player a single card, which is placed face up in front of each player. The player at the dealers left makes the first play, and each player then plays in turn, the play passing to the left.

The manner of moving, receiving cards, and capturing tokens is the same as in the two handed game. If a player succeeds in moving a token to one of the stations in either his own or his partner's marginal group, then his team wins the token, and the opposing team must replace it. A team wins the game when it captures all the tokens from the opposing team, and when the opposing team is unable to replace a token which the Winning team removes from the board.

The deck of cards is preferable to the spinner when playing in accordance with the foregoing rules, because a player may either retain a card for use in making future plays, or he may draw a new card. This p Qvides another element of choice, which adds interest to the gam In other games of this general class, it is customary to enter a playing piece on some portion of the playing board rather close to the player,

who then moves it in a direction away from himself. In the game of this invention, however, the player always moves a token towards himself, (or his partner) and the natural acquisitive propensity of human nature is gratified each time he reaches out and moves .a token towards his own side of the board. The fact that a token is secured by several incremental advantages accentuates this feature.

When this game is played with partners, as described in the foregoing rules, each player watches for opportunities to make winning plays by means of his own card, and is eager to suggest leading plays to his partner. The resulting team work induces lively conversation which makes the game quite sociable.

I claim:

1, A competitive game of combined chance and judgment of the type in which any one of a plurality of identical pieces may be secured as a reward by any player, comprising: a hexagonal playing area, subdivided into a plurality of similar smaller hexagonal areas together occupying the entire playing area; the distance from. the center to the perimeter being not less than six of said small areas; the edge row of small areas along each of the sides of said hexagon containing not less than six small areas and being designated as appertaining to a player using that side; said small areas carrying six difierent kinds of identifying indicia; the small areas appertaining 'to each player including at least one of each of said different indicia; the other small areas each carrying one of said indicia; the indicia of each kind on said other small areas being irregularly scattered and approximately uniformly distributed over the entire playing area; and chance means for determining the ability of each player in turn to move a playing piece a predetermined number or spaces but only onto a small area carrying a predetermined one of said different indicia, whereby the player can survey the board after operating said chance means, and either win a piece by moving it onto a small area appertaining to him, or move a piece onto a small area likely to be more advantageous to him on some subsequent play.

2. A competitive game of combined chance and judgment of the type in which any one of a plurality of identical pieces maybe secured as a reward by any player, comprising: a hexagonal playing area, subdivided into a plurality of similar smaller hexagonal areas together occupying the entire playing area; the distance from the center to the perimeter being a predetermined plurality of said small areas; the edge row of small areas along each of the sides of said hexagon containing small areas, in number not less than said predetermined plurality and being designated as appertaining to a player using that side; said small areas carrying different kinds of identifying indicia, in number not more than said predetermined plurality; the small areas appertaining to each player including at least one of each of said different indicia; the other small areas being irregularly scattered and approximately uniformly distributed over the entire playing area; and chance means for determining the ability of each player in turn to move a playing piece a predetermined number of spaces but only onto a small area carrying a predetermined one of said different indicia, whereby the player can survey the board after operating said chance means, and often exercise judgment in the selection of one of a plurality of possible moves.

3. A competitive game of combined chance and judgment of the type in which any one of a plurality of identical pieces may be secured as a reward by any player, comprising: a polygonal playing area, subdivided into a plurality of similar smaller polygonal areas together occupying the entire playing area; the distance from the center to the perimeter being a predetermined plurality of said small areas; the edge row of smallareas along each of the sides of said polygon containing small areas, in number not less than said predetermined plurality and being designated as appertaining to a player using that side; said small areas carrying different kinds of identifying indicia, in number not more than said predetermined plurality; the small areas appertaining to each player including at least one of each of said difierent indicia; the other small areas each carrying one of said indicia; the indicia of each kind on said other small areas being scattered and distributed over the entire playing area; and chance means for determining the ability of each player in turn to move a playing piece a number of spaces and only onto a small area carrying a selected one of said different indicia, as predetermined by the operation of said chance means.

4. In a competitive game of combined chance and judgment, a large playing area subdivided into a number of smaller similar areas; said small areas being subdivided by characterizing indicia into a plurality of different sets of small areas; each of said sets containing substantially the same number of small areas as each other set; the small areas of each set being irregularly intermingled among the areas of the other sets; and chance means for determining the ability of a player to move a playing piece a predetermined distance only and only onto an area of a predetermined set; the spacing of said areas being such that the player often has a choice among two or more plays, whereby judgment in the selection of alternatives afiects the result.

5. In a competitive game of combined chance and judgment, a large playing area subdivided into a number of smaller similar areas; said small areas being subdivided by characterizing indicia into a plurality of different sets of small areas; the small areas of each set beingirregularly intermingled among the areas of the other sets; and chance means for determining the ability of a player to move a playing piece a predetermined distance only and only onto an area of a predetermined set; the spacing of said areas being such that the player often has a choice among two or more plays, whereby judgment in the selection of alternatives aifects the result.

ERNEST w. DAVIS. 

